Fasano Slams Trump For "Shithole" Comment

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, who has come under fire for not forcefully criticizing Donald Trump in the past, strongly denounced the Republican President on Friday for describing Haiti and other nations as “shithole countries.”

Fasano said Trump’s comments are “beyond inappropriate and offensive” and do not reflect the values of the Republican party. He called on Trump to apologize.

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“The Republican Party is one of inclusivity and rooted in the core value of providing all people the opportunity to achieve the American dream,’’ Fasano said.

In a meeting with members of congress, Trump questioned why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa rather than places like Norway, according to people briefed on the discussion.

Trump took to Twitter on Friday and said “this was not the language used,” though he did not specifically deny the “shithole” remark.

Several prominent Republicans, including Stamford-raised U.S. Rep. Mia Love, who is of Haitian descent, condemned Trump’s comments.

Fasano is the first prominent Connecticut Republican to publicly call out the president.

“The statements reported yesterday fly in the face of what it means to be a Republican and an American,’’ said Fasano, of North Haven. “The president should apologize for these disrespectful and outrageous comments."

This isn’t the first time Fasano has denounced Trump. In 2016, Fasano was among those calling out then-candidate Trump for his disparaging comments about the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq.

But in general, Fasano has sought to focus on state issues, which has prompted criticism from Connecticut Democrats.

“I am an immigrant. My parents escaped Communist China as teens and lived under martial law in Taiwan. We came to America and we realized the American Dream,’’ Hwang said. “Our country was and continues to be built by immigrants. Our diversity and inclusivity makes America the greatest country in the world. When our President says such hurtful and disrespectful things, it minimizes our standing in the world and nationally you have to wonder, ‘When is the next group going to be singled out and maligned?’”